Greg Jefferson: Calvert says he’s running in CD 21

Tommy Calvert Jr., a community activist and an international anti-slavery crusader, got the word out this morning that he’s in the race for Congressional District 21.

“I am running for Congress to clean up the mess in Washington and give the people of the 21st Congressional District of Texas a leader that they can talk to, so they can believe again in America’s promise,” Calvert said in an e-mail to supporters.

He’ll challenge Rep. Lamar Smith, a San Antonio Republican who’s held the seat for 20 years. He’ll also come up against at least two Democrats — perennial candidate Gene Kelly and John Courage, the party’s nominee before a redistricting decision earlier this month forced Nov. 7 open election in five congressional district, including the 21st.

So far, only Smith and Kelly have actually registered with the Texas secretary of state to run.

The court’s Aug. 4 decision didn’t make it any easier for challengers. A panel of federal judges, moving to bring the neighboring Congressional District 23 into compliance with the federal Voting Rights Act, added four Republican-leaning Hill Counties — Bandera, Kendall, Kerr and Real — to the 21st.

But Calvert began making his case in today’s announcement.

“The recent redistricting has presented the community with a unique opportunity to unite a seemingly disparate district,” he said. “I grew up in the heart of the (district)). I lived near Perrin-Beitel Road for almost 20 years, and attended school at MacArthur Park Lutheran, St. Luke’s Episcopal and St. Mary’s Hall.”